KR102522627B1 - Ultrasonic medical instrument with adjusable focusing depth of ultrasonic wave generator - Google Patents

Abstract

A cartridge for an ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge housing detachable from a handpiece; a first moving unit accommodated in the cartridge housing and formed to reciprocate the first moving body in a first axial direction; The second movable body is coupled to one side of the first movable body whose position in the first axial direction is changed by the first movable unit so that the second movable body can reciprocate in the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. wealth; and an ultrasonic generator coupled to the second movable body to generate high-intensity focused ultrasound having a specific focusing distance, wherein the second movable unit is positioned in a first axial direction in the cartridge due to the movement of the first movable body. The second moving part includes a piezoelectric motor driven by an electric signal from a power source, and the first moving part and the second moving part are connected to the handpiece or a control unit included in the body part to which the handpiece is connected. It relates to a cartridge for an ultrasound medical device that is controlled by

Description

Ultrasound medical device capable of changing the focusing depth of the ultrasonic generator

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic medical apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic medical apparatus having a handpiece and a cartridge for ultrasonic medical apparatus that is detachable from the handpiece and generates ultrasonic waves.

There is an adipose tissue layer below the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin. Cellulite tends to develop in the subcutaneous fat layer, which is unique compared to other fat layers because subcutaneous fat can be organized into specific chambers surrounded by strands of connective tissue. Excess fat tissue can cause obesity, cellulite, sagging skin and wrinkles.

Subcutaneous fat, which accounts for most of the adipose tissue, is divided into a shallow fat layer and a deep fat layer. Deep fat is located between the subcutaneous membrane and the fascia in the abdomen, lumbar region, and thighs and forms a deep fat compartment. This deep layer of fat tends to accumulate in distinct localized areas. Local fat accumulations produced with age increase in volume within the confined space due to the thinning and defect of the fibrous septum. Therefore, it tends to bulge in the lower back area.

Convex skin swelling and undesirable skin contours due to localized concentrations of excess fat can be improved by removing the lipid-rich fat layer to improve the appearance of the outer layer of skin.

Recently, a procedure using ultrasound is widely known as a non-invasive method of reducing subcutaneous fat layer or fat tissue.

Ultrasound refers to a wave having a frequency of 20 kHz or higher, and is used in a variety of ways, including diagnosis and treatment of affected areas in the medical field, as well as skin care.

In particular, HIFU (High Intensity focused ultrasound), which is a form of high-intensity focused ultrasound, unlike laser and RF (Radio Frequency) high-frequency equipment, does not cause any damage to the skin surface and is non-invasively selected By concentrating the energy, that is, by concentrating the emitted ultrasound at a specific point, which is the focus, to generate heat, it causes a rapid rise in temperature in the treatment area. Through this thermal function, the procedure is performed by inducing coagulation necrosis of fat cells without leaving side effects on various affected areas.

On the other hand, it is most effective to use such ultrasound treatment by adjusting the focal position of the ultrasound when the skin area to be treated is different. That is, it is desired to adjust the focal position of the transducer so that the focal position of the ultrasound irradiated from the transducer matches the subcutaneous fat layer, which is a treatment area.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic generator, the position of the transducer generating the ultrasonic wave in the Z-axis direction is fixed, that is, the focal position of the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the transducer is fixed, so that the focusing depth of the ultrasonic wave depends on the skin area to be treated. There is a problem that cannot be controlled. Therefore, there is a problem in that a plurality of cartridges having a focusing depth of ultrasound according to a skin area to be treated should be provided.

Accordingly, the present applicant embeds an ultrasonic generator (i.e., a transducer) in a cartridge that is detachably attached to the handpiece, and moves the focal position of the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic generator embedded in the cartridge to a uniform depth in the skin. It has led to the development of an ultrasound medical device capable of variably adjusting the focusing depth of ultrasound as well as the

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0106361 (title of invention: HIFU applicator, publication date: 2013.09.27.)

The present invention is to solve the above problems, by adjusting the position of the ultrasound generator in the depth direction without affecting the internal volume of the cartridge, variously setting the ultrasound focusing depth in the skin to move in the horizontal direction, ultrasound medical It aims to provide a device.

A cartridge for an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge housing detachable from a handpiece; a first moving unit accommodated in the cartridge housing and formed to reciprocate the first moving body in a first axial direction; The second movable body is coupled to one side of the first movable body whose position in the first axial direction is changed by the first movable unit so that the second movable body can reciprocate in the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. wealth; and an ultrasonic generator coupled to the second movable body to generate high-intensity focused ultrasound having a specific focusing distance, wherein the second movable unit is positioned in a first axial direction in the cartridge by the movement of the first movable body. The second moving part includes a piezoelectric motor driven by an electric signal from a power source, and the first moving part and the second moving part are connected to the handpiece or a control unit included in the body part to which the handpiece is connected. controlled by

In addition, the first movable unit may be coupled to the handpiece and change a position of the first movable body in the first axial direction by power provided from a driving unit in the handpiece.

In addition, the drive unit may change the position of the second movable body in the second axial direction simultaneously with the change in the first axial direction arrangement position of the first movable body by the first movable unit during treatment by ultrasonic output.

Also, the electrical signal may be an RF signal.

In addition, it may further include a movement module position measuring unit that calculates a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction.

The second axial direction may further include a movement module position measuring unit that calculates a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator, wherein the moving module position measuring unit is parallel to the horizontal axis of the second movable body and parallel to the first axial direction. The ultrasonic generator may output ultrasonic waves for distance measurement.

In addition, it further includes a moving module position measuring unit that calculates a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction, wherein the moving module position measuring unit is installed to be spaced apart from the second movable body along the second axial direction, Sensing light is output to the second movable body along the second axial direction, light is sensed by the second movable body, the relative distance to the second movable body is measured, and the ultrasonic generator unit is based on the measured distance value. A second axial position can be calculated.

In addition, the second movable body may include a through hole in the center, and a moving shaft of the second movable unit may pass through the through hole and be coupled thereto.

The second movable unit includes a piezoelectric rotation motor coupled to the first movable body, the piezoelectric rotation motor has a drive shaft disposed along a second axial direction, and the second movable body is driven by rotation of the drive shaft. It can be installed to be reciprocating in two axial directions.

In addition, the first movable body has a guide portion supporting the second movable body to prevent rotation of the second movable body, a spiral screw is formed on the drive shaft along the second axial direction, and the second movable body has the A screw hole screwed to the screw is formed, and as the second movable body moves in the second axial direction along the screw when the drive shaft rotates, the positions of the second movable body and the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction change. It can be.

In addition, it may further include an ultrasonic generator position measuring unit for detecting a position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction.

In addition, the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit is installed to be spaced apart from the second movable body along a second axial direction, outputs sensing light to the second movable body along the second axial direction, and reflects reflected light from the second movable body. is detected, a relative distance to the second movable body is measured, and a second axial position of the ultrasonic generator may be calculated based on the measured distance value.

In addition, the second movable body may further include a reflector for improving reflectance of the sensing light at a point where the sensing light is incident.

An ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge; and a handpiece to which the cartridge is detachable and which transmits an RF signal and power for driving in the first axial direction to the cartridge.

On the other hand, in the case of a piezoelectric motor, it is smaller and lighter in size than a conventional electric motor, and may not affect the movement of the first axis. In the case of a conventional electric motor, the size is large and heavy, so that a load is applied to the axis during movement of the first axis, and interference with axis movement occurs due to a plurality of signal and power cables, so that the axis movement is not free.

In addition, in the case of conventional electric motors, while weak against water, piezoelectric motors have high water resistance and are easy to use for ultrasonic medical cartridges.

The piezoelectric motor may be a piezoelectric linear motor or a piezoelectric rotary motor, preferably a piezoelectric rotary motor.

In the case of a piezoelectric linear motor, since the ultrasonic generator is fixed only by the frictional force of the moving shaft, the ultrasonic generator may change position under the influence of gravity, so it can move away from the desired treatment position. However, in the case of a piezoelectric rotary motor, it is not affected by gravity and , it is possible to precisely adjust the depth, and has the advantage of being able to operate without interfering with the movement of the first axis and the movement of the second axis.

An ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the aforementioned cartridge; and a handpiece to which the cartridge is detachable and which transmits an RF signal and power for driving in the first axial direction to the cartridge.

According to the present invention, not only can the focal position of the ultrasound generator be moved in a plane to a uniform depth in the skin, but also the focal depth of the ultrasound can be variably adjusted.

In addition, when a piezoelectric motor is used to move the ultrasonic generator in the depth direction, the position of the ultrasonic generator can be changed without affecting the degassed water space inside the cartridge. Through this, the structure of the cartridge can be manufactured more simply, and since the position of the ultrasonic generator inside the cartridge can be electrically controlled, the user can more conveniently adjust the focusing depth.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device performing depth control with a piezoelectric motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device further including a distance measurement sensor for measuring a position of an ultrasonic generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device including a Hall sensor for measuring a position of an ultrasonic generator coupled to a magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an electrical connection configuration diagram of a piezoelectric motor implementing movement of an ultrasonic generator according to the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram of a piezoelectric motor included in embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge for an ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A to 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating a second axially moving state of an ultrasound generator of a cartridge for an ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit of the cartridge for an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention detects the position of the ultrasonic generator unit in the second axial direction.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, only these embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and are common in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase. As used herein, "comprises" and/or "comprising" does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements other than the recited elements. Like reference numerals throughout the specification refer to like elements, and “and/or” includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first element mentioned below may also be the second element within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device performing depth control with a piezoelectric motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device further including a distance measuring sensor for measuring a position of an ultrasonic generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device including a Hall sensor for measuring a position of an ultrasonic generator coupled to a magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an electrical connection configuration diagram of a piezoelectric motor implementing movement of an ultrasonic generator according to the present invention.

5 is an exemplary diagram of a piezoelectric motor included in embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the ultrasound medical device 1 includes a hand piece 10 and a cartridge 100 for the ultrasound medical device.

The handpiece 10 includes a rod-shaped handle 11 having a certain length to be held by hand, and a head 21 protruding from one end of the handle 11 to which the cartridge 100 for an ultrasound medical device is detachable. include

In the direction display of the present invention, the first axial direction is defined as the longitudinal direction and the X-axis direction of the handpiece 10, and the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction is the Z-axis direction, vertical direction, and depth direction. to be defined as

A drive actuator 31 for moving a first moving part 130 to be described later of the cartridge 100 for an ultrasound medical device along a first axial direction is accommodated in the handle 11 .

Specifically, the driving unit provides a first driving unit for providing a drive for a first axial movement of the first movable body 132 to be described later, and a drive for a second axial movement for a second movable body 152 to be described later. A second driving unit may be included.

The first driving unit may be a driving actuator 31 or a motor capable of moving the first movable body 132 in the first axial direction, but is not particularly limited.

The second driving unit may be an RF generation module (not shown) that provides an RF signal to a piezoelectric motor that moves the second movable body 152 in the second axial direction, which will be described later, but is not particularly limited.

In addition, a controller (not shown) for controlling the position of the drive actuator 31 and the ultrasonic generator 211 (that is, the position of the transducer) to be described later is accommodated in the handle 11.

The control unit, when a component requiring electrical control is added to the inside of the cartridge 100, can also control the added component.

The head 21 is formed with a detachable portion to which the cartridge 100 for an ultrasound medical device is attached or detached.

Meanwhile, the cartridge 100 for an ultrasound medical device includes a cartridge housing 101, a first moving part 130, a second moving part 150, and an ultrasonic generator 211.

The cartridge housing 101 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is detachable from the detachable part of the hand piece 10 . The cartridge housing 101 has a sealed inner space while having a transparent window at the bottom. The cartridge housing 101 receives a medium having a low ultrasonic loss coefficient, for example, the cartridge housing 101, so that there is no loss of ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic generator 211, in a sealed inner space.

The ultrasonic generator 211 serves to output ultrasonic waves focused on a specific depth based on the RF signal provided from the handpiece. That is, the ultrasonic generator unit outputs high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by receiving an RF signal as the terminal of the handpiece and the terminal of the cartridge are brought into contact by combining the cartridge 100 for the ultrasonic medical device. For example, the ultrasound generator may form a specific focusing depth in the skin according to a specific R value. In addition, the ultrasonic generator may be formed in a hemispherical shape or may be formed in a semicylindrical shape.

The ultrasonic generator 211 is coupled to the second movable body of the second movable unit to be described later, and is moved in the second axial direction according to the movement of the second movable body in the second axial direction, thereby changing the position in the second axial direction. It can be. Accordingly, the ultrasonic generator may provide ultrasonic waves while moving in the second axial direction by the second moving unit, or may provide ultrasonic waves after being moved to a set position by the second moving unit.

Meanwhile, when the ultrasonic generator is coupled to the second movable body and moved, the ultrasonic generator may include a through hole in the center, and a moving shaft of the second movable unit may pass through the through hole and be coupled to the second movable body. there is.

The first moving unit 130 serves to move the ultrasonic generator in the first axial direction (ie, the X-axis direction). The first movable part 130 is accommodated in the cartridge housing 101, and the first movable body 132 is provided to be movable in a first axial direction.

In one embodiment, the first movable body 132 may be moved in the first axial direction by the first driving unit and the position in the first axial direction may be adjusted. For example, when the first driving unit is the driving actuator 31, the first movable body 132 is connected to the rod of the driving actuator 31 and moves along the first axial direction of the rod 31 of the driving actuator. It can move in one axial direction. In addition, when the first driving unit is a motor, the first movable body 132 is connected to the rotating screw of the motor and can be moved in the first axial direction by rotation of the rotating screw.

In addition, in another embodiment, the first movable unit 130 may be composed of a piezoelectric motor, and the piezoelectric motor moves the first movable body 132 in the first axial direction on its own based on the current supplied from the handpiece. By doing so, the position of the first movable body 132 in the first axial direction can be changed.

The second moving unit 150 serves to move the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction (ie, the depth direction).

In one embodiment, the second movable unit 150 is coupled to one side of the first movable body whose position in the first axial direction is changed by the first movable unit, and the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. As a second movable body is provided to be reciprocating. The second movable unit sets a first axially disposed position in the cartridge by the positional movement of the first movable body.

Also, in one embodiment, the second moving unit 150 may be a piezoelectric motor. The piezoelectric motor linearly moves the second movable body 152 according to the RF frequency.

For example, the piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric actuator 150-1, a moving shaft 150-2 extending in the second axial direction from the piezoelectric actuator 150-1, and an outer circumferential surface of the moving shaft 150-2. It may include a second movable body 152 formed in an enclosing shape and fixed by friction with an outer circumferential surface of the moving shaft 150-2. Can be combined. (See Figs. 1 to 3)

When vibration is applied to the moving shaft 150-2 by the shape change (contraction or expansion) of the piezoelectric actuator 150-1 receiving the RF signal from the frequency generator to which voltage is applied, the piezoelectric motor can 2 The movable body 152 is moved along the moving shaft 150-2. In this way, when the second movable body 152 moves in the second axial direction along the moving shaft 150-2, the ultrasonic generator 211 coupled with the second movable body 152 also moves in the second axial direction. do. The ultrasonic generator and the piezoelectric motor may be driven by receiving RF signals from individual or the same RF module, and preferably receive RF signals from individual RF modules.

Furthermore, the moving shaft 150-2 is coupled to the second movable body 152 in a penetrating state, and the ultrasonic generator 211 moves in the second axial direction according to the movement of the second movable body 152 in the second axial direction. It can be moved to change the focusing depth of ultrasound (ie, high-intensity focused ultrasound).

The second movable unit 150 may move in the second axial direction while the first movable unit 130 is driven under the control of the control unit within the handpiece, and the first movable unit 130 is driven. Before this is performed, a specific position in the second axial direction may be set.

The drive unit may change the position of the second movable body in the second axial direction simultaneously with the change in the first axial direction arrangement position of the first movable body by the first movable unit during treatment by ultrasonic output.

The first moving part 130 and the second moving part 150 are controlled by the handpiece or a control unit included in the handpiece. The control unit may control the first axial movement of the first movable body 132 by controlling the driving of the first driving unit, and may control the second axial movement of the second movable body 152 by controlling the driving of the second driving unit. You can control it.

In one embodiment, when the target position of the ultrasonic generator 211 is set, the control unit performs at least one of a first axial movement of the first movable body 132 and a second axial movement of the second movable body 152. By doing so, the ultrasonic generator 211 can be moved to the target position. As a result, high-intensity focused ultrasound from the ultrasound generator 211 may be provided to a target focus below the skin surface.

Thereafter, the control unit may move the ultrasonic generator 211 along a linear path in the first axial direction by moving the first movable body 132 in the first axial direction. Accordingly, high-intensity focused ultrasound from the ultrasound generator 211 may be provided along a straight path (ie, an X-axis path) in the first axial direction below the skin surface.

Also, the control unit may move the ultrasonic generator 211 along a straight path in the second axial direction by moving the second movable body 152 in the second axial direction. Accordingly, the high-intensity focused ultrasound of the ultrasound generator 211 may be provided along a straight path (ie, a Z-axis path) in the second axial direction below the skin surface.

Also, the control unit may simultaneously move the first movable body 132 in the first axial direction and the second movable body 152 in the second axial direction to move the ultrasonic generator 211 along a curved path. Accordingly, high-intensity focused ultrasound from the ultrasound generator 211 may be provided along a curved path below the skin surface.

As such, the ultrasound generator 211 may continuously or periodically output high-intensity focused ultrasound while moving along a straight path or a curved path.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of setting the ultrasound focusing depth in the skin by adjusting the position of the ultrasound generator in the second axial direction (ie, the Z-axis direction) will be described.

In the focused ultrasound cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second moving part 150 is coupled to the first moving part 130 and moves. For example, the piezoelectric motor, which is the second moving unit 150, is linearly moved by the power provided from the driving unit of the handpiece. or side).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the piezoelectric motor is coupled to the lower surface of the first movable body 132 so that the disposition position inside the cartridge can be changed according to the change in the position of the first movable unit 130 . That is, as the first movable unit 130 is driven by the driving unit of the handpiece, the piezoelectric motor moves along with the movement of the first movable body 132 . That is, the second drive unit generating the Z-axis drive unites with the first movable body 132 of the first movable unit 130 and moves in the space within the cartridge.

The piezoelectric motor moves the ultrasonic generator coupled to the column corresponding to the Z-axis movement path through ultrasonic output. The piezoelectric motor changes the position of the moving module to which the ultrasonic generator is coupled based on the provided RF intensity and time. For example, the piezoelectric motor can speed up the movement of the moving module by increasing the supplied RF intensity.

Through this, since the movement of the ultrasonic generator in the Z-axis direction within the cartridge does not change the volume of the space filled with degassed water, the cartridge can be implemented in a sealed state. That is, the position change of the first movable body 132 according to the driving of the drive unit of the handpiece in the state where the first driving unit forming the X-axis position change and the second driving unit forming the Z-axis position change are included in the inner space of the cartridge, and Since only the position change of the second movable body 152 occurs according to the driving of the piezoelectric motor, the change in the volume of the entire components included in the cartridge does not occur during ultrasonic treatment. Therefore, the ultrasonic treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention can implement movement of the ultrasonic generator in the first axial direction and the second axial direction in a state in which a predetermined amount of degassed water is filled in a cartridge having a fixed internal volume.

The ultrasonic generator may be coupled to the moving module moved on the track by ultrasonic vibration provided by the piezoelectric motor in various ways. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a hole is formed in the center of the ultrasonic generator unit and is directly coupled to the bottom of the Z-axis movement module to provide a desired focusing depth according to the position change of the movement module. Can be placed in depth. At this time, depending on the arrangement position of the ultrasonic generator, the column of the piezoelectric motor corresponding to the moving track may be placed under the ultrasonic generator, but by setting the ultrasonic focusing distance (ie, the position of the focal point according to the curvature of the ultrasonic generator) It can be implemented so that it is not affected by the pillar.

In addition, in another embodiment, the movement module of the piezoelectric motor may be extended to the side and the ultrasonic generator may be disposed. At this time, the position of the ultrasonic generator on the Z-axis is the same as that of the moving module, but the position of the ultrasonic generator on the X-axis on the plane is different. For example, compared to the position of the movement module of the piezoelectric motor, the ultrasonic generator may be different by a distance as the ultrasonic generator is coupled to the side of the movement module in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

In addition, in one embodiment, as the cartridge is electrically connected while being attached to the handpiece, the piezoelectric motor and the ultrasonic generator coupled thereto receive RF signals, respectively. That is, the piezoelectric motor and the ultrasonic generator are driven by receiving RF signals from the handpiece, respectively.

For example, since the RF signal value required for position change in the Z-axis direction and the RF signal value required for providing high-intensity focused ultrasound to the skin may be different at each time point, the piezoelectric motor may be used with an ultrasonic generator that outputs ultrasonic waves to the skin and RF signals can be provided from different RF generating modules. For example, the piezoelectric motor may receive current provided from an RF circuit disposed in the handpiece, and the ultrasonic generator may receive current provided from an RF circuit provided in the main body of the medical device.

In addition, as in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the piezoelectric element is disposed in a packaged state so that degassed water does not flow in. That is, since the position of the second movable body is changed by generating vibration according to the frequency, the vibration unit (151 in FIG. 5) of the piezoelectric module is packaged so that it is not affected by the degassed water filled in the cartridge, and the wire for control can only be connected.

In addition, in another embodiment, the cartridge includes a moving module position measuring unit. The moving module position measuring unit measures the position of the moving module to which the ultrasonic generating unit is coupled in order to set the ultrasound focusing depth in the skin. That is, the moving module position measuring unit serves to determine whether the second movable body is disposed at a position in the second axial direction where a desired focusing depth can be formed.

In particular, if the second moving part is a piezoelectric motor and continues to drive the piezoelectric motor to change its position in the second axial direction, the distance it moves in the second axial direction when the same RF signal is supplied as the element characteristics of the piezoelectric motor change. may vary. Therefore, there is a need for a moving module position measuring unit that measures the position of the second movable body in the second axial direction for setting an accurate focusing depth without being affected by the deformation of the characteristics of the piezoelectric motor.

The mobile module position measuring unit may be implemented in various ways. In one embodiment, the moving module position measurement unit is a track 154 in which a plurality of Hall sensors 155 are arranged at specific intervals on the side of the piezoelectric motor, as shown in FIG. 3 . As a magnet (not shown) is provided on the side of the moving module (ie, the second moving body) or the ultrasonic generator 211, the Hall sensor affected by the magnet when the second moving body 152 moves in the Z-axis direction Based on (155), the position in the depth direction can be determined. Specifically, when the position of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the Z-axis direction is changed by driving the piezoelectric motor, the controller of the main body or handpiece is a magnet coupled to the ultrasonic generator 211 from among a plurality of hall sensors (not shown). The position of the Hall sensor 155 where the magnetism (or magnetic field) of ) is sensed can be determined as the arrangement position in the Z-axis direction (ie, the second axis direction).

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, as the track 154 on which the Hall sensor 155 is disposed moves together when the first driving body 132 moves in the X-axis direction (ie, the first axial direction), It can be measured regardless of the arrangement position in the X-axis direction. At this time, the hall sensor track may be formed in a structure that does not affect the inside when moving along with the piezoelectric motor in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the track is coupled to one side of the first movable body, is disposed parallel to the moving axis of the second movable unit, and is integrally formed when the second movable unit moves in the first axial direction by the first movable body. can move

In addition, as another example, in the case of performing only movement of the same depth after setting the position in the Z-axis direction at both ends of the cartridge 100 during treatment, the track 154 having the hall sensor 155 starts treatment It may also be provided on one side of the cartridge 100 for initial setting of depth. Specifically, the track is disposed on one side of the inside of the cartridge, and the control unit may move the first movable body to the side on which the track is disposed before starting the ultrasound treatment and then set the disposition position in the second axial direction.

In addition, the moving module position measuring unit may include a third movable body that moves a short distance between the second movable body and the Z-axis driving unit, separately from the second movable body to which the ultrasonic generator unit is coupled, as another embodiment. That is, the third movable body can move by a distance obtained by reducing the moving distance of the second movable body by a specific ratio, and calculate the position of the second movable body based on the position of the third movable body.

In addition, the movement module position measuring unit may be an infrared light emitting unit and an infrared light receiving unit in another embodiment. For example, the movement module may include an infrared light emitter and measure whether a desired depth has been reached by arranging a plurality of light receivers on the side of the cartridge housing at specific intervals.

In addition, the movement module position measurement unit may be an ultrasonic distance measurement module 153 in another embodiment. The ultrasonic distance measuring module measures the distance from the driving part of the piezoelectric motor to the ultrasonic generating part. As shown in FIG. 2 , the ultrasonic distance measuring module 153 is provided inside the piezoelectric motor packaging and outputs ultrasonic waves toward the ultrasonic generator 211 for distance measurement. At this time, the ultrasonic distance measurement module 153 outputs ultrasonic waves for distance measurement to the ultrasonic generator in parallel with the movement axis of the second moving body, so that an accurate straight-line distance in the second axial direction can be measured.

Through this, the ultrasonic distance measurement module 153 may measure the position of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the Z-axis direction based on the ultrasonic wave reflected from the ultrasonic generator 211 and returned. Through this, even if the characteristics are deformed as the piezoelectric motor is used, an accurate position in the Z-axis direction can be calculated.

Also, in one embodiment, the control unit of the handpiece may determine the deformation characteristics of the piezoelectric motor. As the ultrasonic output module is used, characteristic deformation may occur, so that the moving distance of the moving module of the piezoelectric motor may vary when the same RF signal is provided. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the deformed characteristics in order to accurately set the depth in the Z-axis direction, and to provide an RF signal for controlling the moving module based on this. For example, the control unit may determine and set the changed characteristics based on the arrival time when an RF signal having a specific value is provided from an initial point to a final point. The control unit may set RF signal provision conditions for depth setting based on the corresponding time value.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge for an ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A to 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating a second axially moving state of an ultrasound generator of a cartridge for an ultrasound medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit of the cartridge for an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention detects the position of the ultrasonic generator unit in the second axial direction.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the second movable unit 150 may include a piezoelectric rotation motor 156 coupled to the first movable body 132, and the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 is a second shaft. It may have a driving shaft 156a disposed along the direction, and the second movable body 152′ may be installed to be reciprocally movable in the second axial direction by rotation of the driving shaft 156a, and the ultrasonic generator 211 may be coupled to the second movable body 152′.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 may be coupled to the first movable body 132, and a piezoelectric material may be embedded therein. The shape of the piezoelectric material is minutely changed by the RF signal provided from the RF generating module, and the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 can minutely rotate the driving shaft 156a through the minute shape change of the piezoelectric material.

In this way, as the drive shaft 156a is rotated minutely, the positions of the second movable body 152' and the ultrasonic generator 211 moved in the second axial direction by the rotation of the drive shaft 156a are can be precisely changed. As a result, the focusing depth of the high-intensity focused ultrasound of the ultrasonic generator 211, which changes according to the position of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the second axial direction, may be precisely changed.

For example, the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 may change the second axial movement speed of the second movable body 152' and the ultrasonic generator 211 based on the strength of the RF signal provided from the RF generation module. For example, as the intensity of the RF signal provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 increases, the rotational speed of the drive shaft 156a increases, and as a result, the second axial movement speed of the second moving body and the ultrasonic generator 211 also increases. It increases. Conversely, as the intensity of the RF signal provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 decreases, the rotational speed of the drive shaft 156a decreases, and as a result, the second movable body 152' and the ultrasonic generator 211 move in the second axial direction. speed decreases

As another example, the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 may change the moving distance of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the second axial direction based on the time for which the RF signal is supplied from the RF generating module. For example, as the time for which the RF signal is provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 increases, the rotation time of the driving shaft 156a increases, and accordingly, the moving distance of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the second axial direction also increases. Conversely, as the time for which the RF signal is provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 is shortened, the rotation time of the drive shaft 156a decreases, and thus the movement distance of the ultrasonic generator 211 in the second axial direction decreases.

The intensity of the RF signal provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 described above and the time for which the RF signal is provided to the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 may be controlled by a controller.

The driving shaft 156a is disposed to protrude from the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 along the second axial direction, and a spiral screw 156b is formed around the outer circumference of the driving shaft 156a along the second axial direction. A screw hole 152a of the second movable body 152', which will be described later, is screwed to the screw 156b. Also, the rotation of the second movable body 152' can be prevented by being supported by the guide part 132a of the first movable body 132, which will be described later.

Therefore, when the drive shaft 156a rotates, the screw hole 152a of the second movable body 152' moves along the screw 156b of the drive shaft 156a in the second axial direction, so that the second movable body 152' The second axial position can be changed.

As such, when the second axial position of the second movable body 152' is changed, the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator 211 coupled with the second movable body 152' may also be changed, and thereby , the focusing depth of the high-intensity focused ultrasound of the ultrasound generator 211 may also be changed.

For example, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B , the screw 156b of the driving shaft 156a may have a right hand screw shape. As such, when the screw 156b has a right-hand screw shape, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the drive shaft 156a is rotated clockwise, the second movable body 152' rises along the screw 156b of the right-hand screw shape. 7B, when the drive shaft 156a is rotated counterclockwise, the second movable body 152' can descend along the screw 156b in the form of a right hand screw.

As another example, the screw 156b of the driving shaft 156a may have a left-handed screw shape. In this way, when the screw 156b has a left-handed screw shape, if the screw 156b is rotated in the clockwise direction of the drive shaft 156a, the second movable body 152` can descend along the left-hand screw 156b, and when the drive shaft 156a rotates counterclockwise, the second movable body 152` can rise along the left-hand screw 156b. can

In the ultrasound medical device cartridge according to the present embodiment, the second movable body 152' remains screwed to the drive shaft 156a when the second movable body 152' moves in the second axial direction or when the second movable body 152' stops. 2 It is possible to prevent the movable body 152' from falling due to gravity.

In this embodiment, the second movable body 152' can be inserted into the guide part 132a to be described later so as to be reciprocally movable along the second axial direction, and the central axis of the second movable body 152' has a drive shaft. A screw hole 152a screwed to the screw 156b of 156a is formed.

The screw hole 152a has a diameter corresponding to the driving shaft 156a, and a helical thread corresponding to the screw 156b is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the screw hole 152a.

As described above, the first movable body 132 has a guide portion 132a supporting the second movable body 152' to prevent rotation of the second movable body 152'.

The guide part 132a may be formed below the first movable body 132 . The guide part 132a may have an open bottom, and the second movable body 152' may be inserted into the guide part to be reciprocally movable along the second axial direction.

The guide part 132a has a circumferential surface corresponding to the outer circumference of the second movable body 152', and supports the outer circumference of the second movable body 152' through this circumferential surface so as to move the second movable body 152'. It can play a role of preventing rotation and guiding movement of the second movable body 152' in the second axial direction.

A communication hole (not shown) may be formed in the guide part 132a to communicate the gap between the guide part 132a and the second movable body 152' and the inside of the cartridge housing 101.

The communication hole serves as a passage through which the degassed water filled inside the cartridge housing 101 is filled in the gap between the guide part 132a and the second movable body 152'.

The degassed water filled in the gap between the guide part 132a and the second movable body 152' through the communication hole is the second axis of the ultrasonic generator 211 according to the movement of the second movable body 152' in the second axial direction. Although it may be filled or discharged according to the directional movement, the filling and discharge of the degassed water in such a gap does not cause a change in the overall internal volume of the ultrasound medical device cartridge 100 .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the position of the ultrasonic generator 211 is adjusted in the second axial direction, the entire internal volume of the cartridge 100 for the ultrasonic medical device does not change, so the structure of the cartridge 100 for the ultrasonic medical device It can be simplified and the cartridge 100 for an ultrasound medical device can be simply manufactured.

On the other hand, since the piezoelectric material of the piezoelectric rotation motor 156 is easily deformed by the RF signal, even if the same RF signal is provided, the rotational speed of the drive shaft 156a may vary. The biaxial position may deviate from the preset position. Therefore, in order to accurately set the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator 211 without being affected by the deformation of the characteristics of the piezoelectric material, the position measurement of the ultrasonic generator 211 detects the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator 211. Section 310 is required.

To this end, the cartridge 100 for an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 . In this embodiment, the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 serves to detect the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator 211 .

The ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 is installed to be spaced apart from the second movable body 152' in the second axial direction, and may be installed, for example, on the ceiling surface inside the guide unit 132a. In this way, when the ultrasonic generator position measurement unit 310 is installed on the ceiling surface inside the guide unit 132a, when the second movable body 152' moves in the second axial direction, the second movable body 152' and the ultrasonic waves It is possible to prevent interference between the generating unit position measuring unit 310 .

The ultrasonic generator position measurement unit 310 outputs the sensing light along the second axial direction to the second movable body 152' and detects the reflected light reflected from the second movable body 152' as a reference in the second axial direction. The relative distance to the second movable body 152' is measured, and with respect to the measured distance value, the distance from the point where the sensing light is incident on the second movable body 152' to the lower end of the ultrasonic generator 211 is measured. The second axial position of the ultrasonic generator 211 may be calculated by summing the distance values in the 2 axial directions.

For example, referring to FIG. 8 , the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 may be arranged side by side on the ceiling surface of the guide unit 132a. The light emitting unit may emit sensing light toward the upper surface of the second movable body 152' along the second axis direction, and the light receiving unit may receive reflected light reflected from the upper surface of the second movable body 152'.

9, the light emitting part of the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 is disposed on the ceiling surface of the guide part 132a, and the light emitting part of the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 is the second movable body 152'. ) can be placed on the upper surface of the The light emitting unit may emit sensing light to the light receiving unit along the second axis direction, and the light receiving unit may receive the sensing light output from the light emitting unit.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic generator position measurement unit 310 can measure the relative distance to the second movable body 152' by detecting the intensity of reflected light that varies according to the relative distance to the second movable body 152'. . In particular, the ultrasonic generator position measurement unit 310 converts the reflected light into a voltage signal, and can measure the relative distance to the second moving body 152' through a difference in level of the voltage signal that varies according to the intensity of the reflected light. .

As another example, the ultrasonic generator position measurer 310 may measure the relative distance to the second movable body 152' through a time difference between the output time of the sensing light and the detection time of the reflected light.

The sensing light output from the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 may include at least one of infrared rays, lasers, ultraviolet rays, and LEDs, and the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 may include an infrared sensor for detecting the sensing light, a laser It may include at least one of a sensor, a gyro sensor, and an optical sensor, but is not particularly limited thereto.

On the other hand, when the relative distance from the ultrasonic generator position measurement unit 310 to the second movable body 152' is farther than a certain level, the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the second movable body 152' becomes very weak. , the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 may not be able to detect the reflected light.

To prevent this, a reflector (not shown) may be installed to improve the reflectance of the sensing light at the point where the sensing light is incident on the second movable body 152'.

The reflector (not shown) may be disposed parallel to the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 to vertically reflect the sensing light incident from the ultrasonic generator position measuring unit 310 .

For example, a reflector (not shown) may be a glass bead or a mirror for improving the reflectance of sensing light, but is not particularly limited.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims (14)

Cartridge housing detachable from the handpiece;
a first moving unit accommodated in the cartridge housing and formed to reciprocate the first moving body in a first axial direction;
The second movable body is coupled to one side of the first movable body whose position in the first axial direction is changed by the first movable unit so that the second movable body can reciprocate in the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. wealth; and
An ultrasonic generator coupled to the second movable body to generate high-intensity focused ultrasonic waves having a specific focusing distance;
The second movable unit sets a first axially disposed position in the cartridge by the positional movement of the first movable body;
The first moving part and the second moving part include a piezoelectric motor driven by an electrical signal from a power source,
The piezoelectric motor is a piezoelectric rotation motor,
The first moving unit and the second moving unit are controlled by a control unit included in the handpiece or a main body to which the handpiece is connected. According to claim 1,
The first moving part,
The cartridge for an ultrasonic medical apparatus, which is coupled to the handpiece and changes a position of the first movable body in a first axial direction by power provided from a driving unit in the handpiece. According to claim 2,
the driving unit,
Characterized in that, during treatment by ultrasonic output, the position change of the second movable body in the second axial direction is performed simultaneously with the change in the position of the first movable body in the first axial direction by the first movable unit. Cartridges for your device. According to claim 1,
The electrical signal is characterized in that the RF signal, ultrasound medical device cartridge. According to claim 1,
The cartridge for an ultrasound medical device further comprising a movement module position measuring unit for calculating a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a movement module position measuring unit for calculating a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction,
The moving module position measuring unit is an ultrasonic generating module that outputs ultrasonic waves for distance measurement to the ultrasonic generating unit in parallel with the first axial direction of the second moving body. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a movement module position measuring unit for calculating a disposition position of the ultrasonic generator in the second axial direction,
The moving module position measurement unit,
It is installed to be spaced apart from the second movable body along the second axial direction,
Outputs sensing light to the second movable body along the second axial direction and detects light from the second movable body to measure a relative distance to the second movable body;
Characterized in that, based on the measured distance value, the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator is calculated, the cartridge for an ultrasonic medical device. According to claim 1,
The second movable body,
A cartridge for an ultrasound medical device comprising a through hole in the center, and a moving shaft of the second moving part passing through the through hole and coupled thereto. According to claim 1,
The piezoelectric rotation motor has a drive shaft disposed along a second axis direction,
The cartridge for an ultrasound medical device, characterized in that the second movable body is installed to be reciprocally movable in the second axial direction by rotation of the driving shaft. According to claim 9,
The first movable body has a guide part supporting the second movable body to prevent rotation of the second movable body,
A spiral screw is formed on the drive shaft along the second axial direction,
A screw hole screwed to the screw is formed in the second movable body,
As the second movable body moves in the second axial direction along the screw when the drive shaft rotates, positions of the second movable body and the ultrasound generator in the second axial direction are changed. . According to claim 9,
The cartridge for an ultrasound medical device further comprising an ultrasonic generator position measuring unit for detecting a second axial position of the ultrasonic generator. According to claim 11,
The ultrasonic generator position measuring unit,
It is installed to be spaced apart from the second movable body along the second axial direction,
Outputs sensing light to the second movable body along the second axial direction and detects reflected light reflected from the second movable body to measure a relative distance to the second movable body;
Characterized in that, based on the measured distance value, the second axial position of the ultrasonic generator is calculated, the cartridge for an ultrasonic medical device. According to claim 12,
The cartridge for an ultrasound medical device further comprising a reflector for improving a reflectance of the sensing light at a point where the sensing light is incident on the second movable body. Any one of the cartridges selected from claims 1 to 13; and
An ultrasonic medical device comprising a handpiece from which the cartridge is detachable and which transmits an RF signal and power for driving in a first axial direction to the cartridge.

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